10 Things Millennial's Are Looking For When Buying A New Home

Millennials make up 43% of the home buyers out there right now, putting them as top generation buying homes. This is unsurprising, as the older end of Millennials are now entering their 40s. But as this generation becomes the driving force of the market, it’s important to note that the things that they’re looking for are different from the generations before. So when it comes to thinking about what home buyers are looking for, it’s important to consider their buying habits.

If you’re thinking about selling your home and are considering doing a few renovations before you sell, knowing what Millennials are looking for could help you make wise decisions about what would be a good return on investment.

Here are 10 things Millennials are looking for when buying a new home.

At-Home Office Space

With so many jobs becoming remote nowadays, Millennials no longer look at a house through the lens of “after work” but also consider what rooms would work best as a home office. They’re looking for space that can be separate and quiet enough to join in on Zoom meetings without worrying about being overheard. They’re looking for an office that they can treat as separate from “home life” so that they can disconnect still at the end of a long day and have a work-life balance.

Close To Amenities

While oftentimes people picture Millennials in busy urban settings, they’re actually keen on suburban areas…as long as there are plenty of amenities nearby. They’re looking for neighbourhoods that offer quick and easy access to a great school, public transit, shopping, and restaurants. They’re not looking to drive all over the city to run their errands and live their lives. They want smartly planned neighbourhoods filled with convenience.

Social Media Friendly Spots

Since a lot of Millenials share their lives online, they look for homes that have “Instagram-ready spaces”. Think large marbled kitchen island where they can arrange items to take a picture. Or imagine a feature wall that could double as a fabulous backdrop for an Instagram photo. Brick walls, crisp white built-ins, and reclaimed wood sliding doors are other examples of spaces that can be used for selfies and influencer posts.

Space For Hosting

Millennial home buyers are looking for homes that have the space and the layout that’s conducive to hosting and entertaining. A lot of the time this means an open-concept main floor or a finished basement with a built-in bar that flows to a walk-out patio. Whereas previous generations hosted dinner parties and enjoyed a formal dining room, Millennials host more casual events (albeit no less spectacularly prepped for) with grazing tables, apps, and finger foods that encourage mingling and conversation being more common than a sit-down meal.

Smart Home Tech

Millennials are a technology-driven generation. They wear and use smart tech every single day and they want their homes to be smart as well. They’re looking for programmable thermostats, lights, and security systems they can control from their phones. They’re looking for outlets with USB charging alongside the typical plug outlet.

Laundry Rooms That Make Sense With Life

Long gone are the days of laundry rooms hidden in the basement. Millennials are all about convenience, while also being away from the main areas of the home. Unlike the previous generation who found joy in being able to switch a load of laundry while cooking dinner, they don’t want the washer going in the kitchen while they’re sipping mimosas at the brunch they’re hosting. It could be PTSD from having to haul their laundry baskets into the shared laundry room during their renting days, but millennials want to have a dedicated laundry room that’s near bedrooms to make doing laundry quick, easy, convenient, and mess-free.

Beautiful And Large Kitchens

Because Millennials are looking to entertain, they want a kitchen that fits the part. It’s not just about cooking, kitchens are a gathering hub for guests. They want large kitchens with sprawling islands that lend themselves to gathering around large grazing boards while chatting leisurely. If you’re looking at doing any renovations to your home before listing, an upgraded kitchen can have the highest ROI.

Walk-In Closets

Maybe it’s the influence of all the high-end real estate shows gaining popularity on Netflix, but Millennials have a penchant for wanting large, walk-in closets rather than investing in large dressers and wardrobes.

Energy Efficiency

Most Millennials want to be energy conscious and look for “green” homes. Things like a programmable thermostat, LED lights, low-flow toilets, and energy-efficient appliances will appeal to those potential buyers as they’re searching.

Outdoor Spaces

Millennials are looking for homes that offer them beautiful outdoor spaces. They’re interested in growing their own food and entertaining friends with bbq dinners or nights around a fire table. They want beautiful decks and features like outdoor kitchens.